Short Summary

The Canton Trade Fair, the Chinese People's Republic's trade display window to the world, opened last week (15 April) in an atmosphere of greater international goodwill than at any time since the Cultural Revolution of 1967.

Description

The Canton Trade Fair, the Chinese People's Republic's trade display window to the world, opened last week (15 April) in an atmosphere of greater international goodwill than at any time since the Cultural Revolution of 1967.

The Fair is held in the spring and autumn each year in the South China city. Three thousand visiting businessmen attended the opening session, and at least 9,000 are expected to visit it during the next month.

By far the largest contingent is from Japan, China's biggest trading partner. Japanese buyers outnumber all other foreigners at the Fair.

Increased interest has been shown in this fair, partly because of the relaxation in Chinese foreign relations, partly because the Peking Government has this year launched a new five-year plan, and traders are hoping the country will buy more than usual to meet long-term needs.

This film was hot by Visnews staff man Russell Spurr, whose short documentary "China Today" was serviced by Visnews last year (Production Number 10303/70).

SYNOPSIS: In the Chinese People's Republic, the Canton Trade Fair has opened its doors to thousands of foreign businessmen. The fair, the country' trade display window to the world, is attracting special interest this time. This is partly because of the relaxation in Chinese foreign relations, partly because the start of a new five-year plan could mean China will want to buy more than usual from the outside world.

Japanese businessmen make up by far the largest contingent of visitors, outnumbering all other foreign delegations put together, and occupying one whole hotel in the city. Japan is Peking's largest trading partner.

But the Japanese are not the only people interested in Chinese workmanship......
A New Zealand businessman, Ray Tregonning, of Auckland, was busy negotiating to buy heavy machinery on Saturday when this film was shot.

The fair is not solely a trade show for foreigners, but an exhibition for the Chinese people. Guides like this People's Army medical orderly are there to explain the displays to parties from farms and factories, as well as to the businessmen.

A display of day and night wear for men and women attracted considerable attention from one group of Japanese buyers.

Altogether, some 12,000 foreign businessmen are expected to have visited the fair by the time it closes, three thousand more than attended last autumn.